Mélomanie Moves to the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts

PLUS: Get a beer education from the Hotel du Pont, enjoy a conversation with Jamie Wyeth at the Brandywine River Museum and more.

by mark nardone

Blending Art and Music

Mélomanie, the Delaware-based quintet noted for its provocative pairings of early and contemporary works, makes a big change this fall—it’s 20th—by moving its performances to the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art at at 200 S. Madison Street on the Wilmington waterfront. Mélomanie will perform four concerts there, all on Sundays at 2 p.m. at DCCA: October 6, January 26, March 9 and May 11. The ensemble will perform within the varied gallery spaces of the DCCA, in a live testament to the blending of art and music. The performances will feature four world premiere of new works by regional composers Jennifer Margaret Barker, Michael Stambaugh, Mark Hagerty and Richard Belcastro. The concerts will also feature guest artists with percussion and sitar. “This is not only an exciting partnership but a perfect marriage of our music and contemporary art,” says Tracy Richardson, artistic director of Mélomanie. “We hope that both organizations will benefit by introducing our respective audiences to new artistic experiences.” Maxine Gaiber, executive director of the DCCA, agrees. “I am continually surprised by the lack of significant crossover between contemporary art and new music audiences in Delaware,” Gaiber notes. “I hope that this partnership helps bridge the gap by introducing new audiences to both the DCCA and Mélomanie. We are delighted that Mélomanie reached out to us and look forward to a long and successful relationship.” Founded in 1993 by co-artistic directors Tracy Richardson and Kimberly Reighley, Mélomanie offers programs that connect the music of the Baroque with contemporary invention. Ensemble-in-residence at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Mélomanie is: Kimberly Reighley, flutes; Tracy Richardson, harpsichords; Donna Fournier, viola da gamba; Douglas McNames, cellos and Christof Richter,violins. Mélomanie has recorded works of Telemann on Lyrichord Discs and can be heard on Winterthur's “Playing in the Garden: Musical Inspirations from the Winterthur Garden,” a benefit CD released in 2008. Their newest CD, “Florescence,” released in 2011 features original compositions written for the ensemble. The DCCA presents more than 30 exhibitions of regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists each year. DCCA outreach includes programs such as artist residencies with underserved community groups and Contemporary Connections, which fuses art with a school’s core curriculum to teach math and science in new ways.

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About This Blog

The Arts Buzz clues you in weekly to the area’s must-see shows and events and tells you about the personalities behind our organizations and productions. Send event information to Mark Nardone at mnardone@delawaretoday.com.